Chicken bald back

[Chortle Chook]

As some of you may know, my OH has OCD and needs to have a calm state of affairs to avoid peaks in the ticks. As I have had to work longer hours recently and am also spending quite a bit of time looking after my old mother, most of my chook care had fallen to OH who was finding it all a bit too much. So, in a bid to reduce the stress,I had re-homed some of my very active little Frizzles who in personality are a bit like Pekins: feisty, lively and generally very busy little bodies. I had kept an old Silkie and my Polands who are much more laid back. Off went Doughnut to a glittering show career and off went little Dumpy to a friend who lives nearby. Chatting to her recently, it seems Dumpy has not quite settled into her new home and has remained a loner. I've been feeling worried and very guilt, so as my old Silkie has since died (aged 6) we agreed Dumpy should come back home. I can't tell you how delighted I am proving that old friends really are better than new ones.

Here she on the far left with her old friends

[mollyripkim]

I am sure she will be very happy to be coming home.

[Luvachicken]

It's always nice to get a much loved pet back

Hope she enjoys herself back with her friends.

[WitchHazel]

Aw, welcome home Dumpy

[mullethunter]

That's a very happy little post

[PixieDust]

How fabulous. I used to look after my mum - for 12 years - and I can certainly sympathise with your stress.

 

Such great news though.

[Chortle Chook]

Dumpy is home now and all seems right with the world I let her out of her carry case when I got in the gate. At first she looked a little puzzled and non plussed, then suddenly it was as if she gave a big sigh, and off she went down the path. She got up on her favourite stone and looked about her, then she went to the chicken house, toddled up the steps and looked around that, came back down and went off to join the other chickens. The little cockerel, Dill, then did a funny dance round her as if to say 'Welcome back beautiful wife' and then it was mealy worms for all. I'm amazed that a little chicken so clearly remembered her old home.

 

Here she is on her favourite stone

[Purplemaniacs]

Lovely, I hope she will be very happy back at home.

 

Chrissie

[jeshen]

That's a lovely story, Chortle Chook and shows chickens can remember their homes and friends as much as other pets - and us, for that matter!

On a different note, in that pic of your chickens, it looks as if they're in some sort of shelter. I've just bought a second Go-up without a run and would like to provide them with some sort of shelter from the elements, besides the bushes and trees they've already got. Any chance you could show a pic of the whole shelter? It looks as if it might be exactly the sort of thing I need... Did you make it yourself or can you buy them? Mine would be for 5 chickens.

[Chortle Chook]

Hello jeshen - the shelter came from Flyte so Fancy - see HERE. It is the large one. The small one would probably be big enough for your chooks, but for the rather small difference in price, I'd go for the big one if you have room for it. On the other hand, if you knew someone who was good with DIY, they might be able to build you one. The thing I really like about the Flyte so Fancy one is that it is very well made and sturdy so has never blown over, no matter what winds we have had. Mine is now about 4 years old and looks as it always did. The chooks love it and I've certainly been glad I bought it.

Here's another view of it in the snow

[gavclojak]

What a lovely post. It really did make me smile and how lovely for you to have her back home to roost, excuse the pun...what a lovely shelter, wow what lucky girls xx

[Chortle Chook]

Thanks gavclojak

 

For those interested in the shelter, I've just thought that something that keeps logs dry would do the job too. Just saw at lunchtime that a neighbour of mine has got a flat pack one from B&Q

[jeshen]

Thanks for the info. Will look into Flytes of Fancy and also B and Q.